Unlike US/EU, Indian/Chinese regime does NOT want their citizens to prosper.
1,347,350,000 Chinese have ONLY $2 per head worth cash/coins in circulation.
1,210,193,422 Indians have ONLY $5 per head worth of cash/coins in circulation.

127,610,000 Japanese have $564,219 per head worth of cash/coins in circulation.
313,802,000 Americans have $3534 per head worth of cash/coins in circulation.
501,259,840 Europeans have $1400 per head worth of cash/coins in circulation.
143,100,000 Russians have $27 per head worth of cash/coins in circulation.
62,262,000 British have $819 per head worth of cash/coins in circulation.

Sad to see that most comments are about people trying to claim which country is better than the other rather than how both countries can grow together which was the underlying thesis of the article itself.

Why would they "criticize China" when the Economist and other crony whites and their lapdogs are already going all-out demonizing China and everything Chinese?

China is by far the most self-critical nation in the world, and the most self-critical civilization. India and the West are boastful and hubristic. Though they will often feign nobler qualities such as introspection, the results of their true attitudes are readily apparent. Anyone who has even 10 minutes of experience with a representative sample of any of these groups will instantly decide that the Chinese are more humble or is in a sort of pseudo-psychopathic denial.

Quite right the Chinese seems to be counting the chickens before the eggs hatched gratifying themselves as if they have succeeded. Virtually forgotten that they are still miles behind those in front. Just like they thought their smart softpower was working until proven otherwise in their own backyard! The same is likely to happen in their economic and political undertakings. To be fair India is not really helping themselves. It is really in their own hands that they solve their disputes with China and leverage on China's resources to move a gear up. What has US got to do with a wealtheir or poorer India? Nothing. Which means India has to look after her own future. If US is unwilling to accept today's China, US will also not accept a much improved future India and democracy has nothing to do with it.

The story is a little tilted towards China, but India itself is to be blamed for it. China began so called economic reforms in 1970s, but the pace with which it has grown its influence in the region is splendid.
India, on the other hand, while can rightly argue that it started only very recently, has never even tried to achieve the discipline in policy making and economic activity that is required to scale up.
The rising trade deficit as pointed out in this story is a result of India's dependence on behemoths like China. It is India that needs to keep an eye on every move China makes, be it on improving its manufacturing processes, scale of production, rising military power, developing defence capabilities, and so on. While for China, India is a neighbouring and growing MARKET at best. It is India, who has to be on a lookout for what the big brother is up to.
The sheer geographical size of the two countries is no match (though I am not sure if that is a factor in comparing the economic capabilities of any nation). Also, I assume the decision making in China is much faster due to its system of governance, while the 'democracy' - like the one in India - tends to slow down the things a little. However, both these factors cannot be an excuse for extremely slow pace of economic activity that India has put up.
Last two decades were an opportunity for Asian nations to increase their influence across the globe. China grabbed the opportunity, while India appears to have missed the bus.
But it is yet not too late for India. China is headed for some economic slowdown (if Ruchir Sharma is to be believed). It's high time India developed capabilities - manufacturing, skills, sports - that prompt its neighbour also to keep a watch on its movements, and not just vice versa.

Ofcourse so called Indian can be a super power on internet and cinema....where is this so called India before the arrival of British???.A country where even traffic rules doesn`t exist ....

In the last Olympic games organised by Greater China in an excellent standard Greater China was in 3rd place and bagged 51 gold medals ..and so called India even below 30th place bagged just only ..only one gold medal for shooting ..the guy who got this from a wealthy family in so called India.

And this so called India wanted to imitate Greater China got Commonwealth Games simply by bribing many African and Asian countries could even built a proper toilets for players ...all arrangements became a laughing stock on western TV s..as usual organiser is in corruption charges....

I find this article extremely one sided. West seems to be in awe of China's achievements - these are the very same set of people who until sometime ago used to hold China responsible for all kinds of human rights violations. Today apparently China is very prosperous - and so we can forget the rest.
Coming to India-china relationship - i think both like to largely ignore each other, except when China likes to pin prick its neighbour to show off its power - which in a way confirms that somewhere along the line it sees India as some sort of a threat to its asian hegemony. Unfortunately this article apart from asking India to improve economic relationships with China - doesnt look at the reasons for distrust
It wont be easy for Indians to trust the chinese thanks to 1962 betrayal. More so its not easy for Indians to deal with closed societies. India is democratic and pathetically slow - but we still manage to shelter the one man that China hates alongwith his people. Where as the West looks to China for permission to even grant a audience with its leaders to Dalai Lama.
India deals with multiple problems on its land, poorest of people but we wont be a dictatorship which will brush all problems under the carpet and ask the world to only look at whats visible and not beyond. The world at this point is largely indebted to China - theoretically and figuratively - so might be obliged to look at only China's POV.....but as the saying goes....every dog has its day.

Culture and history have little to do with the necessity of developing manufacturing or building infrastructures in India, and again should never be used as excuses. If the Indian administration figures that the Chinese way of developing manufacturing does not fit well with Indian culture or history (or whatever Indian characteristic that is different from others), fine, adopt the American or Brazilian way, or better develop an Indian way. But for goodness' sake, just do it. India cannot get around the industrialization procedure to become a developed country, given its overwhelming huge poor population. The same goes to the infrastructures. Whatever creative way you may develop, just make sure at the end of development, clean water, electricity power and enough food are provided. These things are needed regardless of culture or history.

bro, i am also a asian, form japan. i told u, we have glorious history, we estern asian pll admire the splendid culture you had. look ahead, join hands together to restore our history. why to care about the west? if you guys want to catch up with the USA, china or other major powers, first, be confident. second, stop being a follower of the west. third, be mature and learn to admire your neighbour as they do to you

The article is well written. I personally have visited Sany, the company that is mentioned in the article. Though I would definitely not call the area 'a dusty bit of Maharahstra' as it is located in the city district of Pune and is a hub for auto manufacturing MNC's; it definitely has provided employment for locals.

I think it is time India shed its obsession with the West when it comes to FDI. It is time of diversify and encourage FDI from other countries.

You ignore the most important thing:culture and histroy which sound like very hollow and meanless.That is why some Indian think they cann't go the way of China.Indian is Indian,just as Russian is Russian,Japanese is Japanese,Chinese is Chinese.India is a multicultural, multiethnic country,every state in India have their own unique history and language,even race etc. which is completely different situation with China.

Before 1980s,most countries in the world are richer than China which is as same as Somalia's per income that time.When China awakens from the riots and revolution,just as other East Asian countries,it can learn well from similar culture coutries or regions such as Japan,S.korea,Taiwan,Hongkong,Singapore which traditionally have very close ties.If China learns US's model that time,it cann't succeed in economy.Many things are suitable for US,but not for China.

So what you say are suitable for any country in the world if you don't consider culture and history factors.India can,Somalia also can,Kazakhstan can,Vietnam can,Indonesia can,Philippines can……